Mechanism for defeating armor using ballistic weapons

Abstract

A system includes a ballistic weapon having a barrel and a firing system having a controller. The controller is configured to receive a firing command and in response, when operating in a first mode of operation, to trigger repeated firing of the ballistic weapon such that the barrel of the ballistic weapon reseats in between consecutive firings of the ballistic weapon. The controller may also be configured to receive the firing command and in response, when operating in a second mode of operation, to trigger a single firing of the ballistic weapon. The controller may further be configured to receive the firing command and in response, when operating in a third mode of operation, to trigger repeated firing of the ballistic weapon such that the barrel of the ballistic weapon does not reseat in between consecutive firings of the ballistic weapon.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving, at a firing system, a firing command to fire a ballistic weapon that comprises a barrel; and 
 in response to the firing command, when the firing system is operating in a first mode of operation, triggering repeated firing of the ballistic weapon at a specified timing by triggering firing of a first round, waiting for the barrel of the ballistic weapon to reseat after firing, and triggering firing of a second round after the barrel has reseated. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to the firing command, when the firing system is operating in a second mode of operation, triggering a single firing of the ballistic weapon. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 in response to the firing command, when the firing system is operating in a third mode of operation, triggering repeated firing of the ballistic weapon such that the barrel of the ballistic weapon does not reseat in between consecutive firings of the ballistic weapon. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 firing the ballistic weapon so that projectiles strike a target within an area that is about 90 mm or less in width. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 firing the ballistic weapon so that projectiles strike a target on top of one another. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 firing the ballistic weapon and directing projectiles towards a seam in armor of a target. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 firing the ballistic weapon without firing tracer rounds; and 
 using a multi-function radio frequency system (MFRFS) to track outgoing rounds. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting the specified timing between consecutive firings of the ballistic weapon based on how much time is needed for the barrel to reseat after firing.